Between midnight and 8:30 a.m., there were 178 accidents reported, up from 99 accidents for the comparable time period a week ago, when it was not raining, the CHP reported. According to National Weather Service forecasters, the region will stay wet through Sunday.

The rain today was light in places, heavy in others, and forecasters said there could be thunderstorms, especially this morning.

The snow level, meanwhile, was expected to remain high, falling to 6,000 feet in the San Gabriels by tonight but down to 3,500 feet by Sunday, which could affect traffic through the Grapevine and over the Cajon Pass, according to an NWS advisory.

Along the coast, high surf and dangerous rip currents were reported, but no surf advisory was immediately issued.

Highs around Los Angeles County were expected to be in the sixties today.